I am going to have to agree with Cyrus. He is great! If you look at cost to build vs cost of resale i think you will find you can buy at a lot larger discount if you look for a foreclosure or Short Sale. What price range are you looking to buy in? I think with more information all the great agent who work the local market could give you a better idea of what is out there. You might also check my blog today for local Loveland Real Estate Sale Stats for May of 2009.

http://www.trulia.com/blog/marcus_valdez/2009/06/loveland_co…

Marcus Valdez

It depends on your financial situation and preferences. Should you be looking for a nice home and "good deal," i.e. price, you can find a nice home in Loveland or south Ft. Collins whether it be "new" or a "re-sale." In either case, as a buyer, you should be able to negotiate a very good deal especially if you have an experienced agent on your side; this is in effect "free" to you as the seller pays commissions, so why not get an experienced agent on YOUR SIDE to assist you? To pitch myself, i have over 12 years experience in northern Colorado and have represented major builders in over 400 transactions. My experience in this area can help you. If you do in fact want to totally customize, then the first step would be to look for a lot and builder. You can go to my web site at http://www.dougcard.net for buyer tips and for searching properties. Let me know if I can assist you.

Builders are difficult to work with and they have taken a beating in this market, your best bet *by far* is to buy heavily discounted standing inventory and modify or reconfigure it. Buliders are doing mostly what you are describing, I'd recommend Kendall Brook Subdivision, in North Loveland.

Cheers!

Depends on the builders bids/prices and the cost of land plus location. Do you have an agent working on your behalf to evaluate your options for you? You need to price it both ways. Do you already have the land or will you need to acquire it?

This is a great question to ask regardless of the 'current market'. However, I think you'll find most, not all, builders will negotiate in light of our current situation in real estate especially if the home is already built. You might also look at spec homes builders have had for a while and see if you can get a deal. You can always change cosmetics later.

I've always felt custom built homes on private lots out shine track housing in congested subdivisions, however, it might not be financially feasible and builders will allow you to upgrade/modify to some extent on a track housing.

Again, I'd find a local buyer agent in Loveland and EVALUATE ALL your options.

Good luck!
Susan Walker